New York City is on the cusp of a pivotal mayoral election, and the city’s political temperature is rising as the three leading candidates—Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa—prepare to square off in their second and final debate. Scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 7 p.m., the debate will be broadcast live on Spectrum News NY1 and streamed on its website, offering voters a last, crucial look at the contenders before early voting begins on October 25 and Election Day arrives on November 4.
The debate, which will run for 90 minutes, promises to be a defining moment in a race that has grown increasingly intense in recent weeks. Moderated by a trio of respected journalists—Errol Louis, Brian Lehrer, and Katie Honan—the event is sponsored by the New York City Campaign Finance Board and jointly hosted by THE CITY, Spectrum News NY1, and WNYC/Gothamist, according to THE CITY. The moderators are expected to press the candidates on a wide array of issues, from public safety and education to housing, foreign policy, and the looming prospect of a second Trump presidency.
For those who missed the first debate on October 16, it is available for viewing on the WNBC YouTube channel. That initial face-off saw all three candidates—Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa—clash over their records and visions for the city, tackling questions on President Donald Trump, city schools, policing, housing, and the ongoing conflict in Israel, as reported by Patch and USA Today Network. The first debate also made headlines for its fiery exchanges and pointed criticisms, setting the stage for what many expect to be an even more dramatic showdown in the final debate.
At the heart of the race is Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee and a self-described democratic socialist, who has emerged as the clear frontrunner in recent polls. According to a Quinnipiac University poll cited by USA Today, Mamdani holds a 13-point lead over Cuomo among likely voters, with Sliwa trailing in a distant third. Yet, the path to victory is far from assured, as Mamdani faces both passionate support and intense opposition. As POLITICO notes, "Mamdani is a deeply polarizing candidate," eliciting strong emotions on both sides of the political spectrum. Some voters have been energized by his campaign’s populist energy and grassroots organizing, while others are deeply apprehensive about the prospect of his leadership.
Andrew Cuomo, the former governor running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary in June, has worked tirelessly to position himself as the alternative to Mamdani. His strategy is clear: consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote by appealing to independents, Republicans, and conservative Democrats. "What I'm going to be watching for in this debate is whether Andrew Cuomo is really going to explicitly try to make a play for Republican votes, for conservative leaning Democrats and independents, people who otherwise would be voting for Curtis Sliwa," said a POLITICO reporter. Cuomo’s challenge, however, is convincing skeptical Republican voters, many of whom remain wary of his record, particularly his handling of COVID-19 policies and his approval of the controversial cashless bail law.
One of the more dramatic moments from the campaign trail involved Cuomo challenging Mamdani over his association with imam Siraj Wahhaj. During the first debate, Cuomo pressed Mamdani, saying, "What is your problem with condemning terrorism? It is the easiest thing to condemn," referencing a photo of Mamdani and Wahhaj, whom Cuomo described as "an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing," as reported by the USA Today Network. Mamdani responded by highlighting that Wahhaj had also met with previous mayors and campaigned alongside other prominent politicians, arguing, "The only time it became an issue of national attention was when I met with him. And that's because of the fact of my faith and because I'm on the precipice of winning this election."
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate and longtime activist, has remained steadfast in the race despite mounting pressure from some quarters to step aside and consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote behind Cuomo. Sliwa, who is also running on the Protect Animals ballot line, has made it clear he has no intention of dropping out. According to CBS News New York, "Curtis Sliwa has very little incentive, at least at this point, to drop out. While even as you have some of his allies, like John Catsimatidis, calling on him to suspend his campaign, keep in mind, you've got the New York City GOP chairs this morning saying that they're reaffirming their support for Curtis Sliwa going forward to remain in this race." Sliwa himself has said, "Andrew Cuomo, he just doesn't understand he's no longer relevant," and has maintained that his focus on affordability resonates with voters.
The debate also comes against the backdrop of a changing ballot. Mayor Eric Adams and independent candidate Jim Walden have both suspended their campaigns, but their names will still appear on the ballot, adding a layer of complexity for voters, as POLITICO and THE CITY have pointed out. This full ballot means that even if Sliwa were to exit the race, his name would remain, potentially splitting the anti-Mamdani vote and making Cuomo’s path to victory more challenging.
With early voting set to begin on Saturday, October 25, and Election Day on November 4, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The debate offers a final opportunity for each candidate to make their case directly to New Yorkers. For Mamdani, the challenge is to maintain his lead while addressing concerns about his positions on policing and Israel—issues that Cuomo has been quick to exploit. For Cuomo, it’s about building a broad coalition that can overcome skepticism from both the left and right. And for Sliwa, it’s about energizing his base and convincing disenchanted voters that he remains a viable alternative.
As the city tunes in to watch the candidates spar one last time, the outcome of the debate could prove decisive in shaping the final days of the campaign. With passions running high and the future of New York City at stake, all eyes will be on the stage as Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa make their final pitch to voters.
